Mace Head

Description This mace terminates in a young bull's head. The ornaments on the forehead--a star and crescent moon--the eyes, and the decorative semicircles on the jaws were once inlaid; remnants of bitumen and shell (?) inlay remain in the eye. The size and ornamentation of the mace indicates that it was used for ceremonial purposes in a palace or temple rather than as a weapon.

Exhibitions

• Faces of Ancient Arabia: The Giraud and Carolyn Foster Collection of South Arabian Art. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2008.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters